Apparatus for closing and sealing containers



Feb. 11, 1958 J. A. ZINN, JR, ETAL 2,822,653

APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 19, 1954 1.6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 11, 1958 Z N, JR" ETAL 2,822,653

APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 19, 1954 16 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 11, 1958 J. A. ZINN, JR., ETAL 2,322,653

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APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 19 1954 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORS.

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APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 19, 1954 16 Sheets-Sheet 10 Feb. 11, 1958 J. A. ZlNN, JR, ETAL 2,822,653

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APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CQNTAINERS Filed Feb. 19, 1954 16 Sheets-Sheet 1s flz 5 fx/ 25-h 295-% Feb. 11, 1958 J. A. ZKNN, JR, ET AL 2,822,653

APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 19, 1954 1a Sheets-Sheet 14 0 1% 9 n I?! n M I WM 6% Feb. 11, 1958 J. A. ZINN, JR., ETAL 2,822,653

APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AND SEALING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 19, 1954 16 Sheets-Sheet 1s INKENTORS. M42 (7/2.

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Filed Feb. 19, 1954 United States Patent lice.

APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AND SEALING ONTAINERS Julius A. Zinn, Jr. and Curtis E. Shaw, Chicago, 11].; said Shaw assignor to said Zinn Application February 19, 1954, Serial No. 411,394

Claims. (Cl. 53-373) The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for closing and sealing containers, and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for closing and sealing parafiined or similarly treated paper board containers of the type having an open mouthed portion scored along predetermined fold lines to form a full depressible bellows type end closure. Specifically, the present application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application, Serial No. 156,736, filed April 19, 1950, now Patent No. 2,669,815, issued February 23, 1954.

Although not specifically limited thereto, methods and apparatus embodying the present invention are particularly designed for use with, and will be hereinafter described in connection with containers of the type disclosed in a prior Patent No. 2,412,666 issued December 17, 1946, to Julius A. Zinn, l r. Such containers, which preferably are formed from moisture proofed and preferably parafiin coated or similarly treated pas-teboard cartons, are provided with fully depressible bellows type closures in which the end walls of the mouth portion are collapsed inwardly and then closed to form with the side walls of the mouth portion an elongated upstanding closure rib. The closure rib thus formed is preferably sealed by folding thereover a flap formed as an extension of one of the side walls of the mouth portion. In order to reduce leakage difiiculties and to produce well sealed containers on a mass production basis, it is desirable to provide fully automatic apparatus for closing and sealing such containers. For example, a particular method of and apparatus for automatically closing and sealing containers of the above type is disclosed in an application of Julius A. Zinn, Jr.-Serial No. 72,828 which was filed on January 26, 1949, now Patent No. 2,575,544, issued November 20, 1951. It has been found that when the fully formed closure rib of the container is heat sealed by forcing the container through heated rollers or the like, buckling of the container may result due to the drag exerted on the closure rib by the pressure heat-sealing apparatus. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide automatic closing and sealing apparatus of the above described type wherein facilities are provided for applying sealing heat and pressure to the fully formed closure rib of the container without buckling the side walls of the container during the sealing operation.

It is another object of the invention to provide automatic closing and sealing apparatus of the above described type wherein facilities are provided for exerting pressure downwardly upon the top of the fully formed closure rib of the container while applying sealing heat and pressure to the side walls of the closure rib and while preventing buckling of the side walls of the container during travel through the apparatus.

According to another object of the invention, there is provided novel conveyor apparatus for automatically receiving empty containers, conveying them through the closing and sealing apparatus and automatically discharging the filled, closed and sealed containers.

According to a further object of the invention, there 2' v is provided new and improved conveyor apparatus adapted for use in automatic closing and sealing apparatus of the above-described type wherein containers of widely varying dimensions may be accommodated and wherein allowance is made for bulging of the side walls of the container when filled with liquid.

The invention both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1(a)-1(1)) when arranged in staggered relation in the order indicated, with Fig. 1(a) at the upper left hand corner, illustrate in perspective the general character of apparatus suitable for carrying out a closing and sealing method embodying the present invention; V

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a complete closing and sealing apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the complete apparatus of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating the sequence of steps performed on containers traveling through the apparatus of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detailed side elevational view of a portion of the conveyor apparatus of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of a single container basket;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the member of Fig. 6 taken along lines 77 thereof; 7

Fig. 8 is a plan view, partly in section of the. apparatus of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a preheating chamber of the apparatus of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a plan view partly in section of the preheating chamber of Fig. 9 taken along the lines 1010 thereof;

Fig. 11 is a sectional end view of the chamber of Fig. 9 taken along the lines 1111 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of a portion of the azppargttus of Fig. 2 following the preheating chamber of 1g.

Fig. 13 is an end view partly in section of the apparatus of Fig. 12 taken along the lines 13-13 thereof;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a detailed side elevational view of the side folding mechanism of Fig. 12;

Figs. 16-18 are end views of the side folding mechanism of Fig. 15 illustrating the sequence of movements thereof;

Fig. 19 is a sectional end view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 12 taken along the lines 19-19 thereof;

Fig. 20 is a sectional end view of another portion of the apparatus of Fig. 12 taken along the lines 20-20 thereof;

Fig. 21 is a side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 2 immediately following the plowing mechanism of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a plan view of a portion of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a sectional end view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 21 taken along the lines 2323 thereof;

Fig. 24 is a plan view partly in section of a further portion of the apparatus of Fig. 21;

Fig. 25 is a sectional end view of the apparatus of Fig. 23 taken along the lines 25-25 thereof;

Fig. 26 is a side elevational view of the discharging portion of the apparatus of Fig. 2;

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary side elevation of the alternative embodiment of Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a sectional side flap folding apparatus of Fig. 27 taken along the lines 29-29 thereof;

the apparatus of elevational view of the- Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 29 and showing the folding member in a dilferent position;

Fig. 31 is a sectional side elevational view taken along the lines 31-31 of Fig. 27;

Fig. ,32 is a view similar to Fig. 31 and showing the :folddown member in a different position;

Fig. 33 is a'section side elevational view taken along the lines 3333 of Fig. 28;

Fig. 34 is a plan view on a somewhat larger scale of the silent link chain used in the heat sealing portion of the embodiment shown in Fig. 27; Fig. 35 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an alternative chain arrangement which may be employed in the apparatus of Fig. 27; and

Fig. 36 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3636 of Fig. 35. Referring now to the drawings, the invention is illustrated'generally in Figs. 1(a) through 1(b) inclusive as applied to a series of containers of the type disclosed in the aforesaid prior patent, which containers are conveyed by suitable apparatus to be described in more detail hereinafter, in the direction of the arrow 11, the particular positions at which various steps in the closing and sealing operations are performed being illustrated as positions A through H, inclusive. The containers are preformed to provide a substantially rectangular body portion surmounted by an open mouthed portion comprising scored inwardly collapsible end panels 12, 13 and suitably scored inwardly foldable side panels, 14, 15, each of thepanels having an upper edge portion of the inner surface thereof coated with a suitable adhesive coating of the hot melt type as indicated by the reference numeral 16. In addition, the end panels 12, 13 and the side panel 14 is provided with a similarly coated portion on the outer surface thereof as indicated by the reference numeral 17, and the side panel 15 includes an upstanding closure flap 18, the inner surface of which is likewise coated with a hot melt adhesive. It is the usual practice, particularly where the containers are to be employed for liquid or semi-liquid materials, to form the container from suitably shaped blanks to which the adhesive has been applied in the portions 1618 and then to coat by dipping or another suitable impregnating process the entire container with parafiin or another su mlar waterproofing material. The waterproofed contamer thus formed is then ready for filling, closing and sealing, this being accomplished by collapsing the end panels 12 and 13 inwardly and folding the side panels 14 and 15 inwardly and downwardly so that the adhesive coated edge portions of the panels forman upstanding closure rib over which the flap 18 is then folded preparatory to the final sealing operation.

' In the apparatus of the present invention, the open mouthed container 10, which is received by suitable conveyor apparatus to be described in more detail hereinafter, is carried to position A wherein suitable filling apparatus indicated generally at 20 is'utilized to fill the container to the score line 21 along which the bellows type end closure is formed. The filled container then proceeds to position B in which area the side and end panels of the mouth portion of the container are subjected to heat through the medium of suitable heat sources illustrated generally in Fig. 1(a) as the radiant heat lamps 22, 23. The heat lamps 22, 23 are preferably masked by any suitable means to concentrate the heat upon the side and end panels of the containers and particularly to concentrate the heat upon the score lines of these portions of the container. The heat transmitted to the score lines of the mouth portion of the container during its travel through the zone illustrated as position B is preferably sufiicient to soften the parafiin along the score lines of the mouth portion of the container so as to facilitate the initial cracking, or preforming of the bellows type end closure.

Containers, the mouth portions of which have been 4 preheated at position B, are immediately conveyed to position C wherein a pair of fingers 24, 25 move inwardly and downwardly to engage the end panels substantially at the apex of the triangular shaped score lines formed in the end panels, the points of contact of the fingers 24, 25 with the end panels being illustrated in dotted lines at 26. Inasmuchas the fingers 24, 25 strike the end panels of the open mouthed portion sufficiently to crack the-container along the preformed score lines thereof, these fingers are termed cracking fingers.

Substantially simultaneously with the cracking of the end panels by the fingers 24, 25, a pair of side folders indicated generally at 27, 28 are moved inwardly to engage the upstanding side panels of the mouth portion of the container and are pivoted endwise to a substantially horizontal position so that the side panels of the mouth portion are folded fiat and the adhesive coated edge portions of the panel form an upstanding closure rib. Preferably the side folders 27, 28 each comprise a series of rolls which are mounted for pivotal movement as a unit and which engage the outer surfaces of the side panels in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. The preheated mouth portion of the container is thus preformed by means of the cracking fingers 24,

25 and side folders 27, 28 to a shape substantially similar to that of the finished product. By preheating the mouth portion of the container immediately before the preforming thereof and after the filling of the container, the amount of heat supplied to the container mouth portions and the length of time the containers are subjected to heat is kept at a minimum.

With the bellows and closure in substantially fully depressed condition, the containers are then conveyed to position D wherein suitable plow members illustrated generally at 30, 31, and positioned along the line of travel of the upstanding closure rib 32 of the container, engage the upstanding closure fiap 18 and fold the same to a substantially horizontal position. The containers are then conveyed to position E wherein a further plow mechanism illustrated generally at 35 engages the horizontally extending portion of the closure flap 18 and folds it over the remaining sections of the closure rib 32 to provide a fully formed closure rib which is ready for sealing.

The containers are then conveyed to position F at which position the sides of the upstanding closure rib 32 are preheated by means of a series of suitable heated rollers 36 and 37. The rollers 36, 37 engage the sides of the closure rib 32 thus preheating the sides of the closure rib before the application of sealing heat and pressure so that the paraffin coating of the members forming the closure rib is melted and the hot melt adhesive is softened. By such an arrangement, the subsequent application of sealing heat and pressure does not produce scorching of the outer surfaces of the closure rib due to the fact that individual sections of the multiple thickness closure rib have been preheated to a uniform temperature close to that necessary to achieve complete 7 sealing.

In order to provide a uniform sealing action of the upstanding closure rib, one roller of each of the series of paired rollers, as for example, the roller 36, is provided with a flanged portion 39 which extends over the top of the closure rib and holds the bellows in a fully depressed condition. There is also provided on the bottom surfaces of the series of rollers insulating disks which substantially prevent the transmission of heat from the rollers to the horizontally folded side panels of the containers as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The rollers are thus masked from contact with any portion of the container except the sides and top of the closure rib 32.

In considering the operation of the flanged preheating rollers 36-67, illustrated in position F of Fig. 1(b),

i e ident that ,ihemulti-section closure rib 32' is of substantial width and if the bellows type end closure is maintained fully depressed by exerting pressure upon the horizontally extending side panels, the overlying closure flap 18 has a tendency to be pulled back over the remaining portion of the rib so as to form an air pocket between the top of the multi-section portion of the rib and the undersurface of the closure flap 18. However, by exerting pressure upon the top of the closure rib, that is, upon the uppermost surface of the closure flap 18, to maintain the bellows fully depressed the formation of an air pocket between the closure flap and the multisection rib is substantially prevented. There is thus provided an airtight and liquid proof seal between the individual sections of the closure rib. Also, by exerting pressure on the top of the closure rib during preheating thereof, which pressure is illustrated in position F as being applied by the flanges of successive ones of the pairs of rollers 36-37, the top portion of the overlying flap 18 is ironed down so 'as substantially to conform to the relatively thick portion of the closure rib thus facilitating a uniform, liquid-tight seal when the closure rib is subsequently subjected to sealing heat and pressure. In this connection it will be understood that other suitable means may be provided for exerting pressure on the top of the closure rib 32 such as, for example, a stationary plow member adapted to engage the top surface of the rib. However, the provision of rib engaging flanges on certain ones of the rollers gives the necessary restraining force to accomplish the above described sealing action without materially increasing the cost and complexity of the apparatus.

At position G the pressure rolls 41, 42, which are heated by suitable means to be described in more detail hereinafter, engage the sides of the closure rib 32 and exert suflicient pressure thereon and apply sufiicient heat thereto to melt the softened hot melt adhesive thereby to form a uniform, liquid-tight seal of the closure rib 32. One of the pressure rollers, as for example, roller 42, is provided with an overhanging flange portion 40 which engages the top of the closure rib 32 to maintain the bellows and closure fully depressed. Immediately following the pressure sealing operation at position G, the containers are conveyed to position H wherein opposed series of cooling rollers indicated generally at 45, 46 which are substantially similar to the preheating rollers of position F, engage the sides of the fully formed and sealed closure rib 32 to cool and set the sealed closure rib. As in the case of the preheating rollers, certain ones of the cooling rollers 45, 46 are provided with flanges which engage the top of the closure rib 32 and maintain the bellows fully depressed during the cooling and setting operation.

Still considering the fully automatic closing and sealing apparatus of the present invention as a whole, but referring more specifically to apparatus utilized to accomplish the steps perspectively illustrated in Figs. 1(a) and 1(b), there is illustrated in Fig. 2 a complete apparatus suitable for accomplishing the above-described closing and sealing operations. Thus, referring to this figure, the complete apparatus is illustrated as comprising a supporting table 60 on which is positioned the apparatus of the present invention suitable to perform the proper closing and sealing operations upon the containers. The supporting table 60 is provided at one end thereof with a container receiving area 61 in which may be deposited empty open-mouthed containers from any suitable source. The empty containers are deposited in the area 61 on a suitable conveyor apparatus, the conveyor being illustrated generally as comprising sprocket wheels 62 which engage an endless conveyor chain or belt 63, the chain 63 serving to support the container receiving baskets of the apparatus. To drive the chain 63 there is provided a suitable driving source 64 which is illustrated as connected to a sprocket wheel 62 by means ofa driving chain 65. Containers'which are deposited on the conveyor belt mechanism are moved continuously forward to the filling mechanism 20 wherein they are filled with the desired liquid or other material.

The filled containers then pass to a first preheating chamber 66 wherein the score lines of the mouth portion of the container are heated to facilitatae bending, or cracking, thereof as described in connection with position B illustrated in Fig. 1(a). Containers, the mouth portions of which have been preheated, are then con veyed to the end panel cracking and side panel foldlng mechanism indicated generally at 67. In order properly to time the operation of the cracking fingers and s de folders of the mechanism 67 with the moving contain ers, there is provided a timed drive shaft 68 which is directly connected with the shaft of the driving motor 64 through the chain 69. I

Containers which have been preformed by the cracking. and folding mechanism '67 are then conveyed to suitable plowing mechanism 70 in which the closure flap of the upstanding closure rib of the container is folded down to form a complete closure rib ready for heatmg and sealing thereof. Containers in which the closure rib is fully formed are then conveyed to a second preheating chamber 71 in which heated rollers engage the sides of the closure rib to melt the paraffin coating and to soften the hot melt adhesive of the rib in the manner described in connection with position F illustrated in Fig. 1(b). The containers are then passed through heated pressure rollers 72, the rollers 72 being driven by means of a suitable geared drive shaft 73 which is connected to the driven sprocket wheel 62 by any suitable means such as belt 74 or the like. To vary the pressure exerted by the rollers 72, and accommodatecontainers of varying thicknesses, there is provided an adjusting knob 75 which operates to adjust the separation between the pressure rollers 72. Containers having completely sealed closure ribs are then passed through a cooling chamber 76 where? in the closure rib is cooled by contact with suitable rollers as has been described in connection with position H illustrated in Fig. 1(b).

The sealed containers which emerge from the cooling chamber 76 are then conveyed to the terminus of the conveyor chain from which they are pushed to form a solid line 77 of filled containers, the container line being guided by means of side rails 78. The side rails 78 guide the solid line of filled containers to the edge of a freely rotatable turntable 79; pushing onto the turntable of successive ones of the filled containers and thus causing the turntable to rotate so as to provide automatic loading thereof. The filled containers may then be removed from the loaded turntable either manually or by any suitable automatic mechanism.

In Fig. 3 there is illustrated in plan view the complete apparatus of Fig. 2. This figure illustrates more clearly the in-line arrangement of the filling, preheating before folding, folding, preheating before sealing, sealing and cooling apparatus of Fig. 2. This figure also illustrates more clearly the manner in which the solid line 77 of filled containers is guided by means of side rails 78 onto the turntable 79, the rails 78 extending completely around the periphery of the turntable to provide completeload ing thereon of filled containers.

In order to correlate the successive operations described generally in connection with Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) and performed by the apparatus disclosed generally in Figs. 2 and 3, there is illustrated in Fig. 4 a timing diagram wherein the sequence of successive operations performed by the apparatus of Fig. 2 are illustrated in terms of inches of travel of the conveyor 63. Thus, referring to Fig. 4, the containers are illustrated as being deposited upon the conveyor during the zone of travel indicated by-the numeral 90, during which zone of travel the empty containers are deposited in container baskets of the conveyor apparatus and at the end of which'zone of travel .7 thefconveyor gate associated witheach container basket closes so as securely to. hold the container for travel through the remaining filling, closing and sealing operations. Containers are then filled during travel through a succeeding zone 91, following which they are conveyed through an end closure preheating zone illustrated by numeral 92. In the end closure preheating zone 92 the mouth portion of the container is heated along the score lines thereof so as to melt the parafiin coating and prepare the mouth portion of the container for subsequent crackingv and forming of the bellows.

"After conditioning the mouth portion of the container for forming of the bellows end closure, the container is then conveyed to a bellows forming zone 93 in which thefollowiug sequence of operations takes place:

(1') Cracking fingers move inwardly and downwardly toengagethe apex of the score lines of the end panels (illustrated by the conveyor position 94).

(2) Side folders move in and down to flatten the side panels and to form an upstanding, transversely extending closure rib (illustrated as occurring at 95).

(3) Side folders are up and out (illustrated by the conveyor position 96).

(4) Cracking fingers are up (illustrated by the conveyor position 97).

With the bellows thus preformed to approximately the correct configuration, the side panels are pressed downwardly in a bellows hold down zone 98 following which the closure flap is plowed to a horizontal position in the succeeding zone 99. After the flap has been folded to a horizontal position, the container is moved to a further plowing zone 100 wherein the flap is folded to a substantially vertical position.

The container, which is now provided with a fully formed closure rib, is then conveyed through a sealing preheat zone 101 as has been discussed in connection with position F illustrated in Fig. 1(b). Containers, the closure ribsof which have been preheated to condition the same for final sealing, are then passed through heated sealing rollers in the zone indicated by the numeral 102. Following the pressure sealing zone 102 there is provided a cooling zone 103 during travel through which the sealed closure ribs of the containers are cooled and set. The conveyor basket gate mechanism opens at position 104 and the filled containers are pushed in a solid line through a discharging zone 105 to the loading turntable zone 106 from which they may be removed by any suitable means.

Referring now in more detail to specific apparatus for accomplishing the above-described sequence of opera'tions, there is illustrated in Fig. 5 the initial, or con tainer receiving, end of the completeconveyor mechanism ofFig. 2. Thus, referring to Fig. 5, the conveyor sprocket wheel 62, the tooth line of which is illustrated by the dotted line 110, is illustrated as supported by a suitable shaft 111 which is journaled within the bearing 112. The container receiving area 61, at one extremity of the supporting table 60, is utilized to deposit the containers on the conveyor apparatus. More specifically,the conveyor apparatus is provided with a series of container baskets, each of which comprise a platform member 116 and associated end member 117 which cooperate with a hinged end member, or container basket gate 118, to form a U-shaped support, the end members of which engage the end walls of the supported container. The end gates 117, 118 are of a width somewhat less than the corresponding dimension of the container. Containers which are placed in the container baskets are guided endwise along the conveyor by means of upper and lower guide rails 114, 115, it being understood that a second'set 'of guide rails, spaced from the guide rails 114, 115 by an amount equal to the width of the container are utilized to guide the container. The fixed all] base and end members 116, 117 are supported'on ahase portion 119 which is preferably made integral with a link of theconveyor chain indicated generally at 120, successive base members 119 being supported by alternatelinks. The members 117 and 118 are preferably of a height'just equal to or slightly below the score line 21 of the container so that cracking of the end panels along the correct score line is obtained. To control the movement of the hinged gate rnembe 118, there is provided a pivoted linkage indicated generally at 121 which terminates in a control roller 122, the roller 122 being guided by means of cam guide rails 123, 124 so as to control the movement of the pivoted end member 118 relative to the fixed end member 117 of a particular container basket. The cam guide rails 123,- 124 are positioned relative to the tooth center line of the sprocket wheel which supports the conveyor chain so as to open up the container gatemember" 118 to receive a container. In this connection, it will be understod that the links of the conveyor chain are held at a fixed radius by engagement with the teeth of the sprocket wheel so, that the cam guide rails 123; 124 may be conveniently adjusted with respect to the center line of the teeth of the sprocket wheel to provide closure of the container basket gates in the proper timed sequence. As the end members of successive container baskets pass between the guide rails 114 and 115, the containers are seated upon base and end members 116, 117 and the pivoted gate member 118, which is controlled by roller 122, is closed so as to secure the container between the end members 117, 118 when the container basket reaches the horizontally extending upper run of the conveyor chain. Thus, when a container basket reaches the position immediately beneath the filling mechanism 20, the sides of the container support are fully closed so as to engage the container for travel through succeeding stations of the apparatus.

InFigs. 6, 7 and 8 there is illustrated in more detail a particular one of the container baskets supported by alternate links of the conveyor chain. The container basket supporting link indicated generally at 119 comprises a pair of side wall members 131, 132. The uppermost portions of the side wall members 131, 132 extend inwardly as indicated at 133 to form a' platform por tion on which is positioned'the base member 116 of the container basket. The fixed end panel 117 of the container basket is secured to the rear edge of base member 116 by any suitable means so as to provide a support for the bottom and rear end walls of the container. The remainder of the link 119 is formed by a sleeve134 which is positioned between and spaces, apart the side wall members 131, 132 and a linkage pin 135 which extends through the sleeve 134 and side wall members 131,132 and through aligned apertures in the end portions of the next succeeding link 136.

In order to allow bulging of the container when filled with liquid the end members 117, 118 are preferably bowed outwardly so as to allow filling of the container by the desired amount without causing the liquid level to rise above the point of fold of the bellows type end closure of the container; As is clearly evident in Fig. 6 the end members 117, 118 are given a radius of curvature suflicient to accommodate the bulging walls of a filled container; With this arrangement, the volumeof the container is maximized and the level of the liquid introduced into the container may be held below the score line 21 so that subsequent closure of the mouth portion of the container does not interfere with the liquid introduced into the container. In this connection, it will be. understood that if the liquid level is above the score line on' the side wall of the container, closure of the bellows type mouth portion will be hampered due to the excess of liquid in the area offolding of the mouth por tion. By providing the end members 117, 118 with the 

